Synopsis: She believed death was the end – but then love brought her back to life.Ever since she has lost her life and memories, Juniper Lee, an eighteen-year-old moody girl with a fondness for graveyards, has been wandering alone around the streets of Savannah, Georgia, trying to taste the last beams of life that dwell in her.

When a pair of blue eyes tears her away from the dusty bookstore - which has been her lair for so long - Juniper must face up to the truth of her past and keep her heart at bay which - though it is going to be off forever – seems it can’t stop pounding for that mysterious boy who ran into her and doesn’t want to let her go.

Shades of life, which has already been nicknamed SOL, is the debut novel by Glinda
Izabel, one of the most famous Italian book bloggers. The novel won the writing
competition held by the Italian publisher Fazi and it's her first work.

Okay, now that I'm done with the 'official'
presentation of SOL, I can go on rambling with my 'emotional' presentation. I didn't
hide my curiosity about the novel: Glinda's reviews have always been wonderful,
the excerpt I've read was a great teaser and I'm the right mood for a love
story, paranormal or no, so how could I resist? Besides, Juniper looked like an
interesting heroine and I wanted to get to know her.

I think I did a small happy dance
(or, to be more precise, I nearly fell from my bed) when I had the chance to
get an early copy of Shades of life. Read
in just a few hours (yes, it was that good),
I can say that it lived up to my expectations. SOL is sweet, magic, with a
nostalgic undertone and lot of romanticism, without forgetting the paranormal
element, which I always like.

Juniper is a ghost who loves weird
clothes, likes books and has no memories of her past. When she finds out that a
fascinating stranger can actually see her, she understands that he's like her,
meaning he's dead. But Logan has no idea that his life is over and his memory
seems to work perfectly, since he remembers who he is. The attraction between
the two of them is undeniable (and so is my attraction to Logan, oooops), but
the truth could cast a shadow on their relationship. Moreover… ah, you thought
I would say more? I CAN'T! No spoiler! Go read it!

Juniper and Logan are the stars of
this sweet story and steal the scene and the heart of the readers. With their
smart lines and funny comments, the magnetism between them and the sparks that
fly when they are together, they had me at first sight (or first read). Who wouldn't
want a lovely and fascinating boy who can play guitar and looks like an angel? And
then Juniper, the sweetest dreamer, accidentally and madly in love, afraid to
lose the one she loves so much… oh, yes, such a cute couple!

Special mention goes to Adelaide…
how I loved her! My soft spot for secondary characters is famous and Adelaide
has such a unique 'voice' (again, I must stop here before I say too much), so
funny and smart!

The book flows smoothly, a bit too
quickly; I would have liked it to last longer, to get to know more about some
characters, but there were limits set by the competition for the length of the
novel which surely influenced it. However, there are no inconsistencies or
questions left unanswered; the story is fully explained, but I'm a curious and
insatiable reader and of course I needed more! Glinda's writing is evocative
and dreamy, simple and direct and speaks to the heart of the readers. I can't
wait to see what this talented writer has in store for us!

And now... let's chat with GLINDA!!!

So, Glinda, since I am impatient to start with
you, what about getting ready for this short and lovely interview/torture and
answer some of my questions?

Yes, let's start!

I have been waiting for Shades of life for a
long time and I am not the only one! The novel won the first place in the
contest held by Fazi and the curiosity to read it, after a short teaser, was
higher and higher. How long have Juniper and Logan been living in your head?

(and please note that Logan will be living in
mine for quite a long time)

Ah, Lucia, please don’t remind me that there are
so many people waiting for SOL. I'm shaking just thinking about it, I think I
have performance anxiety! Logan and Juniper, as the good ghosts that they are,
had been haunting my mind for a while, sending me picture of their ghostly days
and asking me to tell their story. And they certainly didn't go away. Right now
Juniper is complaining saying I made her appear like a girl who falls in love
easily, while Logan is telling her not to worry because girls can't resist his
charm. You don't know what I have to endure *chuckles*

Well, I have to
say Logan is right and I'm going to reassure Juniper (and you): it's really
hard to resist this charming guy! And when you put a guitar in his hands you
really wanted to kill us all. Soon Mr. Logan Greenwood will have tons of
adoring fans! But I think it's not too bad to put up with them, they are
perfect together.

Tell me, why did
you decide to set your story in Savannah? I admit this choice intrigued me and
I found it particularly original!

What can I do? I
have a soft spot for guitarist, I couldn't resist. To be honest, Logan is very
pleased. Not only by your compliments, but also by the fact that he'll have
beautiful girl swooning over him. Juniper is less thrilled.

Well, I chose
Savannah because I loved the Southern States. Those bewitching, romantic and
decadent atmospheres can be found only there: those old oaks with Spanish moss
hanging from the branches, Victorian

cemeteries with
statues that seem to come to life, stunning and terrifying buildings… I love
reading novels set in those places and I wanted to let my passion show in the
pages of SOL and I hope it can be felt reading it!

You used to
adjectives that I think can fit perfectly not only Savannah but also SOL:
bewitching and romantic. The best definition. Shades of life is essentialy
a love story with a touch f paranormal that makes it unique (and made me love
it).

During the
writing of SOL, did you suffer of the so-called 'writer's block' or Juniper and
Logan couldn't wait to be trasferred on a page?

Lucia, you're
going to kill me! I'm not used to accept compliments for my work, every time I
react by jumping around like I'm crazy. So, please allow me a short pause to
jump. *happy dance*

Okay, back to my
serious tone. Writing SOL has been both difficult and easy. Difficult because I
had a deadline, a fixed length (my worst enemy) and a theme to take into
account because of the contst. Easy because Logan and Juniper's story has always
been clear, even if there were points to be defined. I had some moments where I
was blocked, but of the opposite kind: I had to stop myself from writing too
much and exceed the length!

Glinda, get used
to receive compliments (I foresee many happy dances in the next days). Ah, the
fixed length! I have to say that I wanted 'more': I wanted to know more about
Logan, about Juniper, about their past… and about Adelaide! Not to mention the
fact that I really can see a prequel or a sequel or a novella! Is there any
chance SOL gets any of these?

I love this
question. It's my all-time favourite question, let's place it on record! I
admit that I wanted more, too. It's true, SOL is a love story, but, in my head,
there is so much more and I would have like to write it. I wouldn't mind doing it.
I am really satisfied with what I've done with the limits I had for the contest
(it was a good challenge), but it would be great to get back to Juniper and
Logan with a prequel or with a longer version of SOL. Both Adelaide and Logan
want me to write their point of view and there might be surprises in the future
about it!

Damn, like any
good writer you like teasing your poor readers… only thinking about a longer
version of SOL makes me want it. Let's place it on record that I want more! I sincerely
hope so! Since I'm stealing a lot of your time, I'd like to talk about the star
of the story (Sorry, Logan, I'm talking about Juniper): this adorable girl
constantly against herself and her feelings. How much do you see yourself
reflected in her?

Poor Logan, this is a bad thing for his
self-confidence! *cheers up her favourite guitarist telling him he's a
misunderstood star*

Well, Juniper is in my heart, she put her roots
there like a oak and gave me a lot of herself. We influence each other. The thing
I can relate to is her courage. The way in which she fought to safeguard the
tiny spark of life in her and to protect her love despite everything, fighting
a hostile destiny; it makes me think I would have done the same. I am not sure
I would be as strong as her but I hope so.

You are certainly two strong girls! Now, my
dear, you cannot escape the questions I always ask to authors I interview here:
which are your 'loyal books'? Is there maybe Peter Pan among them? *any
reference to SOL is casual* And tell us, do you have any quirks when writing?

Juniper certainly is strong, my Banshee. *proud
of her*

You are asking this question to a booklover like
me? Are you sure you want to risk so much?

I love taking risks, you know? You must be brave in life!

*gets ready to be showered with titles*

Okay, forewarned
is forearmed…

The list of my
loyal book is endless. I am not joking. Peter Pan is among them and I loved
that I could quote it in SOL. If I had done the same with all the books I love,
Shades of Life would have been a quote book. I love Anne Rice's books so much;
her style is something so wonderful, the way she talks about Southern US is incomparable.
Every time I need the inspiration, I read the Mayfair Witches. But people who
know me well know that I love not only older books. I am not ashamed to add to
my list novels like the Fever series by Moning (Oh, Jericho Barrons) or to
admit that I often re-read The catastrophic history of you and me by Jess
Rothermberg, The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson and The bronze horseman by Simons.

*stops herself*

Jericho! Shh,
let's not talk about other men or Logan will get angry! But let's say I
perfectly understand you, especially about the endless list!

Last question
and then I'm going to let you go (but I'm keeping Logan and telling you to say
hi to Adelaide, hoping to see her again): is there any other project in store
that you can tell us about?

Aahahah, no, no,
First, I have to tell you about my quirks when writing. Afraid?

I'm going to
keep it short. Yes, I do have my quirks: loud music, Nutella and chips with
balsamic vinegar and a good book to read now and then.

I knew that my
attempt at getting info out of you wouldn't work, but I am not quitting. So, my
dear writer, lover of Nutella and chips (hopefully not together), what's in
store for the future? Spill me some info, make me happy!

I haven't tried
to eat them an the same time, but it could be a useful idea for dark times. You
want to know what I have in store, uh? Well, let's say that my agent and I have
great plans, both for SOL and other projects. I have in mind two paranormal
stories (one is a series) and a contemporary romance, a genre I love!

Satisfied? If you
want, you can keep Logan for a while, I wouldn't mind him haunting the house of
another damsel in these chaotic days. And Adelaide tells me to thank you. She has
a message for you "If you like me I like you, living girl. It's clear you
have good taste!"

Yes, I am
satisfied and I wish you all the best, for SOL and all your other projects.

And I was just
about to tell you that I have a guitar and a piano here, maybe I can get Logan
to stay a while here, so you can relax. He can haunt me as long as he likes.

Adelaide, I like
the way you think, girl. We would be great friends!

Glinda, what can
I tell you? This interview could go on forever but we must stop. I had so much
fun torturing… ehm, interviewing you and you've been so kind (well, a saint,
actually).

If torturers
were like you I think I would soon develop a taste for torture! Thanks for your
interest, I hope to get back soon to tease your readers and make you read my
other works. You're lovely, Lucia, I adored this interview!

I hope to be
soon teased by other good news! There will always be a place for you here,
especially if you bring great characters like the ones you write! Come back
soon!

You can count on
my imagination, then because soon there will be something romantic and
passionate (no, no shades of anything. I'm too shy). Thanks for this great
conversation! I'll be back soon
*laughing with promises* Treat Logan well or he'll make you go crazy!

I solemnly swear
I'll treat him VERY WELL *laughs maliciously*

The book is to be published only in e-book format. There is a petition online to have a print version as well. Please take a minute and support it HERE

Call
her a fool, but chef-in-training Chloe Madison wants to have her cake and eat
it too. So when her boyfriend dumps her for some French tart, she decides to
start over from scratch—with a new life and job in Sugar Creek, Vermont. What
could be sweeter than cooking for an eccentric lady who’s crazy for desserts?
What could be more tempting than joining a club called theCupcake Lovers? Just one thing: local business-hunk Devlin Monroe…

AND
HE’S THE ICING ON THE CUPCAKE

Although
he’s the grandson of Chloe’s fun-loving boss, Devlin Monroe is all work
and no play. Micro-managing the family business, he doesn’t have time to
indulge in life’s sweetest pleasures—until he meets Chloe. How can he
resist such a vibrant, beautiful woman who brings so much passion to the table?
But when old grudges and secrets threaten to destroy the Cupcake Lovers, Devlin
must decide if his feelings for Chloe are a recipe for disaster—or a sinfully
delicious ever-after…

Fool for love is the perfect book to warm the
heart of romantic women… and of those who have a sweet tooth (for both cakes
and men!). But rest assured, your diet won't be at risk while reading the love
adventures of Chloe Madison, a beautiful thirty-year woman, who has graduated
as a chef after tons of different jobs. Chloe has just been dumped by an older
man and has to take an important decision about her life and she decides to
follow the advice of her friend Monica. She accepts a job as a chef and driver
for the old lady Daisy, an uncommon woman with a huge and protective family. In
the small but lovely town of Sugar Creek, Chloe will meet Devlin Monroe, Daisy's
nephew, single with a certain charm. And let's not forget the Cupcake club,
just what Chloe needs, since she hates cakes…

The book does exactly what I expected it to do:
I spend a couple of hours smiling and having fun, reading a light love story,
with romanticism and clever lines

Chloe is a very nice protagonist, even if I
didn't really appreciate the fact that she is a good-looking as a model… a chef
so slim and perfect actually makes me have some doubts, but that's just me. She's
really lovely, with her insecurities and her way to approach Daisy. The old
lady that wants to try everything and jump on every adventure head on is
absolutely the best character in the story, even if there is a slightly bitter
tone towards the end. The Monroe family is very united even though each
component has their own secrets and past. I loved them all but Rocky, the
sister of the two handsome guys, was my favourite: she doesn't seem to get
things right, she feels lost and confused. Devlin, the man hard to get, will
have tons of fans, with his sense of honor and his hidden romanticism. These love
stories will be the end of me, with all these unrealistic men…

The writing is refreshing and simple and the
story flows smoothly and can be read over an afternoon, also because it's hard
to put it down; you will want to know what Daisy will do next.

Overall, I can say that Fool for love is exactly like one of the cupcakes that appear on
the story: a small and delicious moment to taste while eating a cookie. Oh, and
don't forget to try the recipes at the end of the book!

I have decided to alternate between two memes that I really like and today it's the turn of Waiting on Wednesday (WoW), hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Here we can gush about all thos gorgeous books we absolutely WANT but which are yet to be released. Sigh, you know the feeling, right?

My pick this week is...

Shades of Life by Glinda Izabel

Expected publication date: 31st May 2013

Publisher: Fazi Editore

Summary:She
believed death was the end – but then love brought her back to life.

Ever
since she has lost her life and memories, Juniper Lee, an eighteen-year-old
moody girl with a fondness for graveyards, has been wandering alone around the
streets of Savannah, Georgia, trying to taste the last beams of life that dwell
in her.

When
a pair of blue eyes tears her away from the dusty bookstore - which has been
her lair for so long - Juniper must face up to the truth of her past and keep
her heart at bay which - though it is going to be off forever – seems it can’t
stop pounding for that mysterious boy who ran into her and doesn’t want to let
her go.

FINALLY this book is about to be released! Written by an awesome Italian blogger, it's been one of those titles I am highly anticipating this year and I was getting impatient. But just another few days and Juniper and Logan will be brought to life on my Kindle. Can't wait for it! Juniper already seems quite a fascinating and haunting character and I love cemeteries... and yeah, I need a captivating love story!

The book is to be published only in e-book format. There is a petition online to have a print version as well. Please take a minute and support it HERE

Identikit

I'm affected by an illness which makes me read and read and read. I started loving books when I was a little child and never stopped. Thrillers, young adult, contemporary fiction, classic novels, fantasy, chick-it...BRING IT ON!